Our environment protection laws provide for preliminary risk screen assessments (PRSA) and environmental audits. These two processes, along with the appointment of auditors by EPA, form the environmental audit system.

A PRSA is the process used to look for possible land contamination. It relates to a site’s existing or proposed future use and is primarily used in the planning system.

Environmental audits look at site conditions or activities to assess potential risks. This may be because there is a proposed change in the use of a site. Or it could be to consider an issue that might exist at an industrial facility. Risks include harm to human health or the environment from:

• contaminated land
• waste
• pollution
• an activity.

Planning authorities, government agencies and industry use environmental audits. Sometimes community members also use environmental audits when building or renovating. This helps them understand the condition of a site and its suitability for use.

EPA maintains information on completed PRSAs and environmental audit reports in the public register and in an online tool.

Find PRSAs and environmental audit reports